Politics daily briefing: January 21

The Conservative Party has been embroiled in more infighting as reports suggest rebel Tory MPs are considering publishing a secret recording and text messages linked to allegations of “blackmail” from the Prime Minister’s supporters. Boris Johnson insisted on Thursday he has “seen no evidence” to support the claim made by senior Conservative William Wragg that his critics are facing “intimidation” as part of an effort to prevent him being ousted from office. But The Times has reported that Tory MPs keen to see the back of Mr Johnson have a secretly recorded “heated” conversation with the chief whip, as well as text messages to support the accusations.